2014 FIBA World Cup Quarterfinals, Day 1

Lithuania and the United States of America survived their respective quarterfinals showdown to book a spot in the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup semifinals. The two teams will face each other on Thursday at Palau Sant Jordi – and then move to Madrid to play a final, decisive showdown – the loser to the bronze medal game on Saturday and winner to the championship game on Sunday – at Barclaycard Arena, home of the 2015 Turkish Airlines Euroleague Final Four.

Lithuania beat Turkey 73-61 to reach the World Cup semifinals for the second consecutive time. Former All-Eurocup forward Renaldas Seibutis led the winners with 19 points. Jonas Maciulis of Real Madrid shined early in the fourth quarter to give Lithuania a safe lead until the final buzzer.

USA routed Slovenia 76-119 despite leading 42-49 at halftime. Klay Thompson paced Team USA with 20 points. Two more quarterfinals will be played in the Spanish capital Wednesday: Serbia vs. Brazil at 18:00 CET and Spain vs. France at 22:00 CET.

Lithuania became the first time to seal its ticket to the World Cup semifinals by downing Turkey 73-61 at Palau Sant Jordi in Barcelona. Lithuania reached the World Cup semifinals for the second time ever; it won a bronze medal in 2010. Turkey, which went all the way to the title game four years ago, was eliminated from the competition.